Intensified agricultural activity in Europe is the main cause of the declining bird populations
Populations of common European birds have declined by an average of 25% over the last 40 years. The most important reason for this phenomenon is the increasing use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
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Unique albino shrew found in Poland
Albino individuals occur in populations of various animal species, but in the case of shrews they are extremely rare. One of these specimens arrived a few days ago at the Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Białowieża. This is the first such unique specimen in Poland and the third in the world, the institute's representatives emphasise in a press release.
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Scientists prove that Romans were breeding small bulldogs
Researchers from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences have proven that breeding small brachycephalic (shorter-nosed) dogs took place already in ancient Rome. Research on a 2,000 years old dog skull indicates that the dog resembled a French bulldog.
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Scientists investigate whether soil of Małopolska landscape parks is PAH-free
The analysis of the content of 10 different organic compounds belonging to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soils taken from protected areas (landscape parks in the Małopolska region) revealed that in a quarter of the tested samples the permissible levels were exceeded, causing a risk of particular importance for the protection of the soil surface.
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Scientists from University of Warmia and Mazury study bacteria transmitted by ticks that cause neoehrlichiosis
Ticks transmit not only Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis, but also other diseases, such as neoehrlichiosis. A team of scientists from the University of Warmia and Mazury conducts research on the bacteria that cause this little-known disease in humans.
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Scientist: Human genes unable to adapt to modern diets
The functioning of the human body is the result of evolution. Normally, the human genome adapts to changes in the environment over thousands of years, but during the last 50 years the human life, including diet, has changed so radically that the general population has not yet had time to adapt and cope with lifestyle-related disease problems, believes Professor Carsten Carlberg.
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Predatory naiad catches a ride inside fish body
A snapping shell, huge teeth and a long sticky thread help the predatory larvae of the thick shelled river mussel to lodge in the fish's gills and swim long distances. Polish researchers have solved the mystery of the strange jets of water that the female uses to lure fish - just like fly fishermen.
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Chimpanzees also climb down from trees to nest
Ground-nesting chimpanzees help understand what prompted our hominin ancestors to move to a more ground-based niche. Neither a large body size nor the taming of fire are necessary conditions for hominids to sleep overnight on the ground, scientists have determined.
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Scientists check whether structure of Polish forests is favourable for lynx
Despite being a protected species, the lynx do not colonize all forests in Poland. New research shows that most forests do not meet key requirements, such as the presence of undergrowth or type of terrain, that give these predators the opportunity to hunt.
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Scientists: Non-English-language literature is the primary source of knowledge for nature conservation policy makers
Non-English-language literature is the primary source of knowledge for nature and biodiversity policy makers in 37 countries surveyed by an international team of scientists. Publishing houses should take care of translating articles into many languages, the authors of the study believe.
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Polish scientists reinterpret petroglyphs of Toro Muerto
The geometric patterns, lines and zigzags that accompany the images of dancers (danzantes) carved in the rocks of the Peruvian Toro Muerto are not snakes or lightning bolts, but a record of songs - suggest Polish scientists who analyse rock art from 2,000 years ago.
